Movie studios to launch Home Premiere $30 movie rentals

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The film industry is always looking for new ways to extract money from willing customers eager to watch the latest movies. The model for selling movies to us for as long as I can remember involves releasing in theaters first followed by a release on DVD a few months later. But as Internet connections to the home have got fast enough to stream HD content, there’s been growing talk of offering a movie rental service during the 3-6 month wait before a DVD is offered for sale.

In September last year Sony, Disney, and Warner put forward the idea of streaming a movie to our homes after the theater run had ended, but before the DVD was released. In return they wanted $30 per viewing. At the time the price seemed steep, and the idea was questioned seeing as there’s the alternative BitTorrent route that costs nothing. But the movie studios have pushed this through and it is going to happen.

The official name for this new premium video on demand service is Home Premiere. The number of studios involved has increased with Universal and 20th Century Fox also signing up, and the streaming will be handled through DirecTV exclusively. The first two movies to be offered are Unknown and Just Go With It, both of which could become available to watch during April through the new service.

The studios view this rental service as a solution for anyone who couldn’t make it to the theater to see the film. The other side effect of Home Premiere is that the 28-day wait before services like Netflix get to offer a new DVD rental is also being looked at. The studios want that wait period extended further so as to hopefully further increase sales rather than rentals.

Theater owners are understandably concerned this will mean more people deciding to stay at home to watch a new release, but the studios say a 60 day wait before Home Premiere offers a movie is more than long enough for them to keep making money.

The question is, will any one be willing to pay $30 for a HD stream of a movie?

Speak Your Mind

That1GuyRob

Looking at the $30 price tag up front does seem steep, at first. But if you really think about it, I spend $20 just for a movie ticket for me and my wife to see a movie in the theater. If it’s a 3D movie, add another $2 premium per ticket, plus popcorn and drinks and you’re well over $30 for the night out (not to mention gas used for the trip to the theater).

On the other hand if I invited a few people over to watch the movie we could all enjoy popcorn and drinks while all sharing the cost of the night at much lower rate per person than a trip to theater.

Is this the April Fools Day joke? $30 seems waaaaaaaaay to high for a movie. I wont pay that price.

hodar

I agree with That1GuyRob

For a single guy – this is a steal.

Consider Dinner for 2 and we are talking $50, then two tickets @ 12.50 each is $25. Bucket of popcorn, 2 Lrg Cokes and candy is another $15. Sit in a theater surrounded by strangers who may, or may not have a freakin’ clue how to behave in public. No talking, no bathroom breaks.
Cost of date = $50+25+15 = $90

Or, Order Pizza Hut Lrg Supreme, Cokes for $25. Microwave Popcorn and case of Dt. Coke in fridge for $10. Cuddle on couch and watch movie for $30. Complete with bathroom breaks on demand, conversation during movie and privacy.

Cost of date = $25+10+30 = $65
Savings of $25 for a more memoriable date.

If you are married with kids, or have friends over – it’s even a better deal. No babysitter, no schedule, no crowds, no traffic.

Where do I sign up?

Jon Hoffman

But…you have to wait TWO MONTHS after the release to watch movies using this… That is NOT worht $30. There is a theater here that shows the popular movies from 2 months ago for $3 a ticket. It is affiliated with a major theater chain…

So, if the delayed screening is only worth THREE DOLLARS at a theater… why would it be worth $30 at home?

Family of 4 at discount theater: $12
Stupid streaming film thing : $30

maybe not everyone has a theater like this…but still… it is a rip off. The entertainment companies are big on the value of “convenience,” so don’t go pay full, theater price for watching a movie at home TWO MONTHS LATE.

Please… please do not pay for this. It will hurt movie-goers everywhere.

KLanD

I agree with the people saying it’s a little cheaper than going to see a movie, however, I would still prefer to spend the 30$ and GO SEE THE MOVIE. on a big screen. If it was $30 and I get to keep the digital copy, I’d be cool with that.

TheMokoda

This is a stupid idea designed to cause stupid people to rationalize themselves into actually doing it! Watching a movie in a theater is more than just the movie. It’s that, plus, it’s the larger-than-life screen (120-inch TV at home? Big deal!), the rich sound, and the overall aura of the theater. NO ONE who’s not a millionaire could have anything close to this at home. You”re not laying all that money out just for the movie, but for the overall experience.
And if it’s all about saving money, the movie will be the same whether it’s a week old or six months old. Why not just wait until you can rent the movie on the cheap and still enjoy your microwave/pizza-delivery “date”?

That1GuyRob

I’m not saying this is how I’m going to watch all new movies. But let’s look at the article and note that the target audience is people who wanted to see it in the theater but weren’t able to get out there in time and missed it in theaters, but don’t want to wait until it is available on DVD.

I agree I prefer the theater big screen and surround sound, but sometimes I just can’t get out to the theater in time to see it, though it is something I really want to see.

Call up a few friends that also wanted to see it but didn’t get a chance to and invite them over splitting the cost. Yeah it’s $30 but split that 2,3,4+ ways and you’re looking at a much lower cost per head and the convenience of seeing the moving on YOUR schedule.